(1826 – 1863) Union brigadier general, badly wounded and captured at Perryville and killed in action at Chickamauga while leading a charge in an attempt to protect the rear of his command. Rare, extremely fine military content war-date A.L.S. ‘Will’, 4pp. 4to., Bridgeport, AL, Aug. 18, 1863 (a little over a month before his death), to his uncle. Lytle describes a lull in the fighting between the Tullahoma Campaign of June and July, and the Battle of Chickamauga in September, in large part: ‘When Gen [Alexander D.] McCook went home Gen [Philip] Sheridan took command of the Corps and I, of course, of the Division, making my Hd Qrs at Stevenson [Alabama]. Sheridan was relieved on the 5th Aug, on which day I came up here and assumed command. There are here eight regiments of infantry, two batteries, and one regiment of cavalry. It is the advance of the Army, and quite lively, we being one side the Tenn[ess]ee [River] & the rebels on the other. Thus far however we have preserved the ‘entente cordiale’ our pickets by a sort of tacit understanding not firing on each other. The only departure from this temporary reign of peace & good will was a few nights since when I opened on them with my batteries. In fact the forces on either side are mere corps of observation. Each watching the other closely. There is at least a rebel Brigade opposite us, commanded by Gen [James] Patton Anderson of Florida. The grand forward movement will probably be resumed ere this reaches you. The scene a few nights since when the rebels burned the bridge connecting the Island with the left bank of the river was a very grand one. The scenery is quite picturesque at any rate, the river being surrounded by mountains and you can imagine the effect of the [?] conflagration accompanied by the chorus of my twelve pounders [cannon]. The fight will probably come off at Chattanooga or Arkansas. Perhaps they may attempt to shell us out of here. In truth I should not be astonished at any moment if they opened on us, as I learn today they have been receiving reinforcements both of men and artillery. Old Rosey [Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans] ran down to see us a few days since to make a reconnaissance of our grey-backed friends on the other side, and seemed much interested. He greeted me very warmly – The rebs are deserting whenever they can get a chance. Scarcely a day passes but one or more comes across on french furlough. The regiment opposite are Mississippians & the men who swim across represent their commander as heartily wearied of the war. Still, we shall have more fighting to do, and hard fighting. Though it is my conviction that if we are let alone we shall annihilate the military power of the rebellion before Spring…’ Lytle continues, describing his beloved horse, Fallaballaugh: ‘…My game golden beautiful little sorrel is fine… and the admiration of the whole army. He is a better horse now, than the day I started. He is certainly the most beautiful animal in this army. Poor fellow; he is very conspicuous in action and I very much fear he will be shot…’ He closes by hoping that his correspondent’s health has returned, and invites himself to Christmas dinner with his uncle and aunt – a meal which, of course, he would never enjoy. He signs at the conclusion in black ink. Along the left edge of the final page is tabbed a 3.75 x 1 in. slip of paper, bearing his bold signature ‘Wm H Lytle’ in black ink. Beside this, on the original letter, his sister adds the note: ‘The accompanying autograph was taken from another letter written by my brother’, and signs ‘Josephine Lytle Foster’, providing impeccable provenance. Shows original mailing folds, otherwise in fine condition. Certainly the best Lytle piece we have ever handled, and possibly the best to ever come to market.